After indulging in a lot of delicious food over the 4th of July, I’ve had a tough time getting back on track with healthy eating. So, here I am, enjoying a salad out of a mason jar and thought I’d share some of my favorite easy salad recipes with you!
Why Use Mason Jars for Salads?
Mason jars are perfect for meal prep! They’re easy to fill, grab on the go and clean (just pop them in the dishwasher!). As a canner, I have plenty of mason jars on hand, but if you don’t, you can easily find them at any grocery store or big-box retailer.
I use pint-sized jars for portion control, but feel free to use quart-sized jars if you prefer. The best part? You’re prepping healthy, whole food for you and your family, and you can mix and match ingredients to keep things interesting!
How to Layer Your Mason Jar Salad
To keep your salad fresh for as long as possible, it’s all about layering the ingredients in the right order. Here’s a handy tip from leanjumpstart.com: start with the dressing at the bottom and work your way up with the heavier ingredients, ending with the leafy greens on top. When you're ready to eat, just give the jar a good shake to mix everything together and enjoy!
3 Easy Summer Mason Jar Salad Recipes
Here are three easy and delicious salad recipes I made today. I’ve listed the ingredients in the order I put them into the jar to keep everything fresh.
Summer Cobb Salad
Ranch Dressing
Cherry Tomatoes
Cucumbers
Hardboiled egg
Cubed ham
Shredded cheddar cheese
Romaine lettuce
Summer Greek Salad
Black Garlic and Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing (I found this at Aldi and it’s excellent!)
Cherry Tomatoes
Kalata Olives
Cucumbers
Cooked Quinoa
Baby Spinach and Arugula
Romaine Lettuce
Feta Cheese
Summer Berry Salad
Brianna’s Poppyseed Dressing
Strawberries
Blueberries
Yellow Peppers
Romaine Lettuce
Feta Cheese
My Favorite: Summer Berry Salad
The summer berry salad is probably my favorite! The berries add just the right amount of sweetness, so I don’t find myself sneaking chocolate for dessert. It’s a light and refreshing option, perfect for hot summer days.
Why Mason Jar Salads Are a Meal Prep Win
Whether you’re a salad lover or not, you can put just about anything in these mason jar salads. They’re super easy to prep, and they’ll stay fresh for about 5 days in the refrigerator! A little bit of prep at the beginning of the week can provide you with healthy meals all week long.
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady